3 Mets players who need to order what second-half "Happy" Jeff McNeil did and heat up

3) Luis Severino

There must be something in Luis Severino’s contract that every time Sean Manaea throws a gem he has to pitch a dud the next day. Now 7-5 with a 4.06 ERA on the season, he has far less satisfying numbers than he did earlier this year. His 6 shutout innings against the Miami Marlins seems distant after the below-average version we’ve seen from him since.

A 5.68 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and .291 batting average against have stained the second-half for Sevy. He has been able to increase his strikeout total with 20 in those 19 innings. At what cost? 

June was the month where everyone but McNeil was playing well. This includes Severino who went 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in 5 starts. He threw with conviction. The 5 walks allowed all month was less than half in any other—with the innings per start averaging more than any other as well. He struck out a monthly-low 20. His velocity was up against the Rockies on Tuesday but with little backing from the offense, he was bound to get a loss anyway.

Severino has been a pitcher of highs and lows this year with few extended streaks of excellence or pitching dreadfully. He gave up 6 earned runs against the Texas Rangers before bouncing back with 6 shutout innings versus the Chicago Cubs while striking out 10. Then came less productive outings against the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates. If the trend continues, after these last two and a half weaker starts (we’ll give him a half from the start against Atlanta), he should be able to look much better the next time he steps on the hill. Too bad this one is against a Seattle Mariners club that’ll require a potent Mets lineup and not the slumbering one we’ve seen of late.